Kindness
Reading Time: 5 minutes
There’s no denying the fact that the world could use a little more kindness.
Kindness matters. A little bit of kindness can go a long way in making the world a better place. It helps people to feel more connected with one another and can leave a positive, lasting impression.
Showing kindness doesn’t have to be a grand gesture; small acts of kindness frequently make the biggest difference. Read on for 70 ways to show kindness!
How to Show Kindness Daily
As individuals, we can make a difference by spreading kindness to those around us – to our families and friends, our communities, and even total strangers. It’s also important to show kindness to ourselves.
Here are 70 simple ways to be kind in your everyday life:
To Friends and Family
- Actively listen.
- Give them your full attention and show interest when they’re talking to you.
- Offer support and encouragement.
- Be there for them when they need you.
- Compliment them and make them feel good about themselves.
- Respect their opinions and ideas, even if you disagree with them.
- Do something nice, just because.
- Make them laugh with a funny inspirational quote, meme, video, or story.
- Offer to help them with a chore, especially if they’re new parents and need an extra hand.
- Send a (surprise) care package or thinking of you gift in the mail.
- Gift them a tool or something you’ve found helpful that will make their life easier.
- Do something to celebrate them, like taking them out for a special dinner.
- Write them a letter of gratitude.
- Reach out if you know a family member or friend who is having a tough time.
- Clean up or do chores without being directed.
To Acquaintances, Neighbors, and Colleagues
- Greet them warmly when you see them.
- Offer to help with something they’re struggling with.
- Pay them a genuine compliment.
- Do something nice for them, like getting them coffee or tea.
- Invite them to lunch.
- Tell them about an event or article you think they would enjoy.
- Strike up a conversation to make them feel welcome, especially if they’re a new person to the team or group.
- Bring treats or a meal to your neighbor.
- Publicly praise a colleague for a job well done in person or via email.
- Offer the gardener, plumber, or handyman something to drink.
To Strangers (Random Acts of Kindness)
- Smile.
- Be polite. Say please, thank you, and excuse me.
- Let others go in front of you in line.
- Stop and let a pedestrian cross.
- Give up your seat on public transportation.
- Hold the door open.
- Offer to help with something, such as carrying or loading their groceries.
- Pay for someone’s coffee or parking meter.
- Leave a larger-than-normal tip.
- Speak up if you see someone being treated unfairly.
- Give someone the benefit of the doubt.
- Compliment a child’s drawing or performance.
- Say something nice to the cashier or customer service representative.
- Write a positive Yelp review for a local business.
- Give food or money to a homeless person.
- Volunteer at a soup kitchen, food bank, animal shelter, homeless shelter, or other charitable organization.
- Donate to charity.
- Gift a stranger a lottery ticket.
- Offer someone you think could use a small gift card for groceries.
- Say yes to donating money at the check-out register.
To the Environment
- Recycle.
- Reduce your use of plastic (e.g. avoid buying one-time-use items).
- Drive less and walk or bike more.
- Conserve water.
- Install energy-efficient appliances.
- Plant a tree.
- Pick up trash.
- Bring your own reusable bags to use at the grocery store and your own reusable mugs to the coffee shop.
- Compost your food waste.
- Turn off lights when you’re not using them.
To Yourself
- Be patient with yourself.
- Cut yourself some slack – you’re doing your best!
- Be forgiving of yourself and move on from your mistakes.
- Accept compliments graciously.
- Practice self-compassion and self-care regularly.
- Practice the loving-kindness meditation (steps and audio here).
- Nourish your body with healthy food and exercise.
- Get enough sleep.
- Take breaks when you need them.
- Listen to your favorite music.
- Do something creative.
- Try a happiness hack.
- Spend time in nature.
- Simplify your life (e.g., declutter and organize your space).
- Do something that you enjoy, just for fun.
Kindness Resources and Important Links
There are so many great organizations out there that are making a difference in the world through acts of kindness. Consider learning more about them and donating your time or money to support their important work.
Here are 10 of our favorites:
- Kindness.org educates and inspires people to choose kindness.
- The Kindness Campaign creates positive tools to build emotional health and kindness in kids.
- Random Acts of Kindness Foundation promotes kindness in schools, the workplace, and at home.
- The World Kindness Movement inspires greater kindness in individuals and helps nations establish kindness movements to create a kinder world.
- World Central Kitchen provides meals to communities in need.
- The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants life-changing wishes to children with critical illnesses.
- Project Sunshine brings volunteer-led programming to pediatric patients and their families.
- Habitat for Humanity builds affordable housing for families in need.
- St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital treats and researches catastrophic pediatric diseases.
- Operation Gratitude sends care packages to deployed service members.
Final Thoughts
Kindness is key to making the world a better place for all. A random act of kindness usually costs nothing and can change someone’s day, or even their life, for the better.
Kindness is also vital for our mental health and living a happy and fulfilling life. By showing kindness to others, we not only make them feel good, but we also make ourselves feel good. It’s a win-win situation!
Make a commitment to always choose kindness and see how much brighter your world becomes.
For more articles on kindness, happiness, and mindfulness, check out the a little dose of happy blog. We’re here to help you make the world a kinder, happier place!
